Steam, air, and water trap valve.



ll. LEUTIi-IESSER, OE' CHICAGO, ILLINOS.

S'Siiif, AXE, AND 'WATER TRS? VALVE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Batented Jan. 118, t.,

eppieaton ied ,une 8, 1909. Serial No. 500,928.

To all 'whom it mmf concern:

lic it known that l, Fuse ivi-7. @netrunner-inn, a citizenv of theUnited States, residing at Chicago, in the county ot @ook and State ut Illinois, have invented certain new' and useful Improvements in Steam, Air., and Tli'la'er Trap Valves, of which the followii'ig is a specication.

The trap valve of the present invention designed more particularly `for use on a vacuum steam heating system; and the oli-" u ject-ot the present invention is to provide means for permitting the escape of air from a' radiator to clear 'the radiator for the ingress of steam, and thereafter to close the valve against the escape ci steam and permit the escape of an excess amount of Water of condensation. In certain prior valve constructions, designed to accomplish these results, diiicnlty and annoyance have been eX- perienced hy reason ot a rattiing of the float, which `is especially objectionable in buildings such as hospitals chools, or lecture halls. Furthermore, di icnlty has been ei;- perienced in the operation of such devices, by reason of the fouling ot the parts, due to the accumulation ot oil or other retuse,

'which sometimes coats'the movable valve members to such an extent as 'to interfere with their correctoperation.

rlhe object of the present invention is to construct and arrange a valve in such man ner as to prevent rattling of the tie-at by maintaining a suiiicient body et Water around the lower end of the float to exert a certain buoyant action., not suiiicicnt to unseat the Heat valve,l hut.,'nevertheless, suti'icient to prevent rattling of the parts during the es-l cape'ot the water.

A further object of the invention is to ]i rovide an inner float cup or well, into which only a limited volume or' 'Water will he admitted and to provide an outer cup or well communicating directly with the valve controlled discharge passage, so that the outflow of the Water, when the tloat. is lifted, will not materially agitate the body of vater in ywhich the ioat itseli contained. This further tends to prevent rattlingl oi the iioat.

Another object of the invention is to so construct the valve as a whole that easy access ran heattained 'to the. interior thereofA for he purpose ot' relnoving'the iloat and surrmnxding parts, if so desired, for cleaning" or repairing.

Further objects will appear from a detailed description of the invention, whidh consists in the features of construction and combination of parts hereinafter described and claimed. i

in, the drawings, Figure 1 is a sectional eie'ation through the center of the Float chamber, showing the iioat itself partly in elevation; Fig. 2, a cross sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. l, showing the relation of the. inner and outer cups/to one another; and Fig. 3, a bottom end View or" the inner cup.

The valve, as a Whole, comprises a cylin drical valve easing e, the lower end 5 of which is of inverted dome-shape and is provided in its. center With a depending neck 6, on one side of which is a laterally extending nipple 7, provided with a coupling 8 adapted to make attachment to a radiator. On the other side of the neck 6 is a boss 9, provided with a threaded recess 10, into which is entered a gland 11, which hears against a packing 12, which packing surrounds a ley-pass lvalve stein 13, threaded at 14 to permit adjustment and provided on its inner end with conical valve head 15 adapt-ed to control a lay-pass 16 communicating-vvith the interior of an inlet passage l? leading through the nipple 7, which inlet passage is of dish formation and cooperates With an inverted Weir 18 in furnishing a trap or Water seal.

The formation of these features is not claimed as new, so that further description thereof is not deemed necessary.

rThe neck' is bored to provide an outlet passage 19, the upper end of which is closed in part by a screw threaded plug 20, provided with a discharge passage 21 of reduced diameter, the upperend of which discharge passage is beveled to afford a valve ,seat 22, which comets with the beveled'or tapered lowered end of a valve stem 23, which depends from and coinmunicates with the interior of an elongated float 24. The tubulaivalve stein servesto control the discharge of Water through a plurality ot' radiating discharge holes 25, which are out transversely through the plug 2 at the point of mergence of the reduced discharge passage 21 thereinto, the construction being such that a discharge of Water Will take place when the tubular valve stem is elevated by the rise of the float.

The plug 20 is of an inverted step forniation, being provided with an upper annular shoulder 26 and :i lower annular shoulder 27. -Thev lower annular shoulder bears against the Hoor of an outer cup 28 of inverted dome-shape, which extends up to a p oint at or slightly belowthe line of liota- 5 t1on of the float, which, inthe present case,

float cup 30 likewise of inverted dome-shape,

, the lower end-of which has the plug en-` tered therethrbugh, and ,is soldered, brazed, or otherwise secured to the under side of the .upper shoulder 26. The inner or float cup is 15 of greater height than the outer cup and extends up substantially to the top of the float, being centered in position by a .flange 31, which is inturned from the upper edge of the outer cup and is provided at regular in- 2-0 tervals with recesses or scallops 32, which afford an easy ingress for thewater, and, at

the same time, hold the two cupsY properly -spaced with respect to one another. The tubular valve stem 23 furnishes 2 5' through its center, an air vent duct 33, which cooperates with an air inlet duct 34 formed through the center ofa guide p in 35,- which upwardly projects from the top of the lioat and is entered into a guide recess 36, which lis formed in a cap or cover 37 screwed into or on to-the upper end of the valve casing.` In order to facilitate the assembling or disassembling of the parts, the plug 20 is provided in its top with a pair of recesses 38 adapted to receive a Spanner wrench. The inner cu is further provided with a plurality .o small holes or openings 39 at or near itslower end, adapted tov establish a restricted communication withethe interior` of 40V'the outer cup near the point of discharge 5,0\through the duet 34, down through therefrom.

In operation, the'nipple 7 will be connected with a radiator and the neck 6`will attached' to the return pipe of a vacuum system, or other system, acting under differ` ential pressure. As the air is forced out of the radiator by the ingress of steam, it will pass into the valve casing and up around the cups until it finds its discharge the float and out through the vent openings 33 and 21. This flow of the air will continue untilv the air has been exhausted, after which the steam will enter the valve* casing. As soon as the steam begins toV condense, the formation of water of condensation around the walls of the recess 36. and in the air passage 34 will restrict or totally stop the escape of steam. Water of condensation'will accumulate in the valve casing until'it fiows over the rim of the outer cup and into the space intermediate the two cups. The two .cups

being in communication, the Water will rise. to an equal level 1n the/imrfcup rand outer vcup and surround/th/e float wlth a .consid-- ,cumulate on the surface of the body off Water contained in the outer cup, but will be excluded from the inner cup, by reason of the fact that the restricted holes or Aopen ings39, which establish communication be tween the two cups, are located at a level above which the oil will almost always be maintained. tion has accumulated above the line of flotation of the lioat, the latter will be lifted and the necessary amount of water discharged, principally from the outer cup, to again bring the parts to a stateof equilibrium. The Water will be discharged mainly from the outer cup by reason of the fact that the discharge openings 25 lead directly therefrom, and by reason of the fact that the holes or openings 39 are of small ydiameter and afford only a restricted iiow from the inner-.cup to the outer cup. The arrangement is Vone which .permits the necessary amount of Water to be discharged from the outer cup without materially disturbing the amount of water maintained in the inner cup which surrounds the float. It will thus be seen that the float will not only be immersed to a very considerable extent, but will also be undisturbed by any material agitation due to the out-How of the water.

Where it is desired to clean the parts, the cap or cover can be readily removed, after which the float can be lifted out. and the plug 20 removed by a Spanner or similar wrench, which permits of immed1ate re- After the water of condensamoval of the inner and outer cups and allows access to-be easily had. to all ofthe valve passages.

I claim:

l. In a valve of the class described, the combination of a valve casing provided with an inlet and provided with a discharge pas sage at its lower end, a float Within the c asing provided with a valve for regulating said discharge passage, and a member .within the casing and surrounding the floata'nd constituting a floatchamber out of direct communication with the discharge passage, and having a restricted communication with the space immediately surrounding the dischar 'e passage, substantially as described.

2. n a va ve of the class described, the combination of a valve casing rovided with an inlet and provided with a ischarge passage at its lower end, a float within the casing provided with a. valve for regulating the said discharge passage, and a member withessere in the chamber and surrounding the float and constituting a float chainber'out of direct communication with the discharge passage, and having near its lower end a small hole or opening furnishing a restricted c0mmunication with the space immediately surroundingI the discharge passage, substantiall'fv as described.

3.1n a valve of the class described, the combinationl of a asing provided with an inlet and provided at its lowei' end with a discharge passage, an outer member, as a cup, within the casing. and an inner niember, as a cup, within the outer member and furnishing an annular discharging chamber between said members in direct communication with the discharge passage, the inner member constituting a float chamber out of direct con'imunication with the discharge passage, and having a restricted communication with the annular discharging chamber, and a Float located in the fioat chamber and having a valve controlling the discharge passage, substantially as described.

4. Inga valve ot the class described, the combination ot' acasingprovided with an inlet and `provided at its lower end with `a discharge passage, an outer member, as a cup,within the casing, and an inner` member, as a cup, within the outer member and Jfurnishing an annular dischargingr chamber betwn said members and in direct eoin. munication with the discharge passage, the

inner membei constituting a float chamber out of direct 'communication with the d ischarge passage, and having a restricted coniniunication with the annular discharging chamber, and a hollow Heat within' the .float chamber provided with a tubular valve stein communicating with the interior ot' theiloat and adapted 'to control the out-flow of Water from the discharge passage, and adording an open passage for the discharge of air from the float, the float being provided in its upper portion with an opening for admitting` air to its interior, substantially as described..

5; In a valve ot the class described, the .combination of, a valve casing provided with au inlet and provided with a discharge passage, a float within the casing provided with ay valve for controlling the-outflow ot' *atei* through the discharge passage, anouter.

member, as a cup, Within the` casing, having its rim near the line of flotation of the float and in direct communication with the discharge passage, and aninner member within the outer mcmberand surrounding the float and constituting a float chamber for protecting the. float againstv agitation due to the out-rusli ot' water, substantially as described.

(S. lu a valve of the class described, the combination oi a valve casing provided with an inlet and provided with a discharge passage, a float within the casing provided with a` valve for controlling the outdlow of water ythrough the discharge passage, an out-er member, asa cup, withinit-he casing, having its rim near the line otl [iotation ot the tloat and in direct communication with the discharge passage, and an inner member within the outer member and surrounding the iloat, and provided with a restricted opening communicating with the space between the two members tor protecting the'l'oat against agi- 5 tation due to the out-rush ot' watei, substantially as described.

7.' In a valve of the class described, the

combination of a valve casing provided with 'an inlety and provided at its lower end with 30 a vertically extending discharge passage, merging atits upper end into a laterally extending discharge hole, a vertically ex-Y tending Valve having its lower end entered through the laterally extending discharge hole and adapted to seat against the mouth of the discharge passage, a iioat within the valve casing to which the valve isl connected, anda member, asa cup, within the valve casing surrounding the tioatand constituting a tloat chamber out of'direct communication' with the'discharge hole and the discharge passage, substantially as described.

S. ln" a valve of the class described, the combination of a valve casing provided with aninlet and provided at its lower end with v a vertically ext-ending discharge passage, merging at its uppercend into a laterally ex tendingdischarge hole, a vertically` extend ing valve having its lower'end entered OO through the laterally extending discharge hole and adapted to seat againstvthek mouth ot' the discharge passage, a `tloat within the valve casing to which the valve is connected,

a member, as a cup, within' the valve casing, 105 surrounding the tloat and constitutii'ig a float chamber outot direct communication with the discharge hole and the discharge passage, and an outer member, as a cup, within the casing surrounding the inner member and furnishing in conjuniction tlferewith an annular discharging chamber, having direct communication through the discharge hole with a discharge passage, substantially described.

S), In a valve of the class described, the combination ot' a valve casing provided wit-li an inlet and provided atI its lower end with a vertically extending discharge passage, merging at its upper end into a laterally 'extending discharge hole, a vertically extending valve having lits lower end entered`through the laterally extending dis' charge hole and adapted to seatAv against the mouth of the discharge passage, a ioat with'- 125 in the valve casing to which the valve is connected, a member, as a cup, withinthe valve casing, surrounding the float and con-4 stituting a float chamber out of direct ,com-4 munication with the discharge hole and the 139 an inlet and provided at its a, vertically extending discharge passage discharge passage, and

merging at its upper end into a laterally extending d1scharge hole, a vertically extending valve having its lower end entered `through the laterally extendingdischarge hole and adapted to seat againstthe mouth of the discharge passage, a hollow float within the casing to which the valve is connected, and a member, as a cup, within the casing, surrounding the float vand furnishing a float chamber out of direct communication with the discharge hole and the discharge passage, the valve being provided with'an air ventduct and the float being rovided at its upi per end with an air inlet uct for permitting the escape oftair through the float, substantially as described.

merging' at its upper l1. In a valve of the class described, the` combination of aivalvescasing provided with an' inlet and provided'at its lower end with a vertically extending discharge passage end into a laterally extending dischargeihole, a vertically extending valve `having its lower lend entered through the laterally extending discharge hole and adapted to seat against the mout-h of the discharge passage, a hollow float vli'ithin the casing vnected, a member, and surrounding to which the valve is con as a cup, within the casing the loat and furnishing a #ont chamber out of direct communication an outer member, as a cup, within the casing surroiuidiiig thcwith the discharge hole and the discharge passage, and an outer member, as a cup, within the casing and surrounding the inner member and furnishing in conjunction therewith an annular discharging chamber having direct-'communication through the discharge hole with the discharge passage, the valve being provided with an air vent duct and the float being provided at its upper end with an air inlet duct for permitting the escape of air through the ioat, substantially as described.

lf2. In a valve of the class described, the combination of a valve-casing provided with an inlet and provided at its lower end with a vertically extending discharge passage merging at nits upper end into a laterally eX tending discharge hole, a vertically extending valve having its llower end entered through the laterally extending discharge hole and adapted to seat against the mouth of the discharge passage, a hollow Hoat within the casing to which the valve is connected, an inner member, as a cup, within the casing and surrounding the float and fur-l nishing a float chamber out of direct communication with 'the discharge hole and the discharge passage, and an outer member, as a cup, within the casing and surrounding the .inner member and furnishing in conjunction therewith an annular discharging chamber having direct communication through Vthe discharge hole with the discharge passage, and having its upperA rim near the line of flotation of the float, the valve being provided with an air vent` duct and the float being provided at itsupper end with an air inlet duct for permittingthe esca e of air through t-he float, substantially'as escribed.

FRED W. EUTHESSER.

Witnesses:

Pmnson W. BANNINQ. WM. P. Bono. 

